Electricity Distribution Network Operators

At the time of privatisation of the electricity industry there were fourteen
Public Electricity Suppliers (PESs) in UK who replaced the old area and Scottish
electricity boards.

Today, whilst the geographical areas of these former PESs remain unchanged
the industry itself is somewhat different and this is discussed in greater
detail in Background to the UK Energy Industry.

Today, whilst distribution has been separated altogether from supply, the
former PES areas are used as the basis of current day distribution areas.

Distribution remains a monopoly business and under the Utilities Act 2000
it is now a licensed activity. Whilst this applies throughout the UK , the
structure in England and Wales is different than it is in Scotland .

In England and Wales, as at 23 April 2007, there are seven distribution companies operating twelve licensed distribution areas:

DNO20
Name

Area

Company

Area
ID

East England

EDF Energy Networks

10

East Midlands
Electricity

East Midlands

Central Networks

11

London
Electricity

London

EDF Energy Networks

12

Manweb

Scottish Power Energy
Networks

13

Midlands
Electricity

West Midlands

Central Networks

14

Northern
Electric

North East
England

CE Electric
(NEDL)

15

Norweb

North West

United Utilities

16

Scottish Hydro
Electric

North
Scotland

Scottish Hydro Electric Power
Distribution

17

Scottish
Power

South
Scotland

Scottish Power Energy
Networks

18

SEEBOARD

South East
England

EDF Energy Networks

19

Southern
Electric

Southern
England

Southern Electric Power
Distribution

20

South Wales
Electricity

South Wales

Western Power Distribution

21

South Western
Electricity

South West
England

Western Power Distribution

22

Yorkshire
Electricity

Yorkshire

CE Electric
(YEDL)

23

In Scotland distribution is operated by two vertically integrated energy companies
who in addition to operating their respective distribution businesses they
are also responsible for generation and transmission throughout the Scotland
.

Each distribution company holds a separate licence for each area they cover
and they are strictly governed by the terms of that licence. They have a statutory
duty to connect any customer requiring electricity within their area and to
thereafter maintain the supply to them.

Distribution companies are now known as DNOs (Distribution Network Operators)
and as part of the legislation within the Utilities Act 2000 they have an obligation
to be non-discriminatory in all aspects of their business. Additionally, they
must maintain an efficient cost effective and coordinated system to distribute
electricity.

In addition to DNOs we now have the concept of Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNO). IDNOs own and operate electricity distribution networks which will predominately be network extensions connected to the existing distribution network, e.g. to serve new housing developments.

Licences are granted by OFGEM (The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets)
and as these are effectively monopolies they are regulated through a price
control mechanism which is reset every four or five years.

Our UK Generation Map will allow you to identify what DNO area you reside
in.

Whilst the number of Distribution Licences remains unchanged the whole UK
Energy Market is going through a period of consolidation and the ultimate owner's
of the individual DNOs continues to change so the information presented here was correct at the last update of this page.

We have therefore attempted to provide some clarity as to the current ultimate
owners and a brief history on each distribution business since privatization.

The table does not provide information on the associated supply businesses.